Method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell

ABSTRACT

A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell provides a method to produce a one-piece shoe shell having steps of: mounting a mold assembly on an injection molding machine; closing the mold assembly and forming a cavity that can produce a shoe shell having a sole, two lateral vamps and a quarter combined together; opening the mold assembly and ejecting the shoe shell. Because the sole, lateral vamps and quarter are integrally formed, a durability of the shoe shell is increased and the shoe shell is easily fabricated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a shoe shell, and more particularly to a method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell for ice-skates, in-line skates and the like.

2. Description of Related Art

People wear shoes to protect their feet from injury. Different kinds of shoes are adapted for different uses. For example, different shoes may be used for walking, hiking, or any other athletic activities. For some sports, like ice and in-line skating, a rigid shoe shell is needed for sufficient protection. A conventional shoe shell is made in two parts, a sole and a body, wherein the body comprises a toe cap, two lateral vamps and a quarter, and the sole and the body are combined by adhering or sewing.

However, when the sole and the body of the conventional shoe shell are combined by adhering or sewing, they may detached from each other due to impact by an exterior force. In addition, an adhering or sewing process of the conventional shoe shell decreases an efficiency of fabrication and increases cost.

Therefore, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a shoe shell to overcome the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell that is easily fabricated and has a good durability.

A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell provides a method to produce a one-piece shoe shell having steps of: mounting a mold assembly on an injection molding machine; closing the mold assembly and forming a cavity that can produce a shoe shell having a sole, two lateral vamps and a quarter combined together; opening the mold assembly and ejecting the shoe shell. Because the sole, lateral vamps and quarter are integrally formed, a durability of the shoe shell is increased and the shoe shell is easily fabricated.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional top view of a mold applied for the method in FIG. 1 in a closed status;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of the mold in FIG. 2 with one part of an outer mold being removed; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a one-piece shoe shell produced by the method in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 a method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell in accordance with the present invention comprises the following steps.

The first step is mounting a mold assembly (1) on an injection molding machine, wherein the mold assembly (1) has a combinative outer mold (11) and an inner mold (12). The outer mold (11) and the inner mold (12) are controllable by the injection molding machine to combine with each other.

The second step is closing the mold assembly (1) and forming a cavity (13) in the mold assembly (1). The cavity (13) provides a space to form a shoe shell (2) that has a sole (21), two lateral vamps (22) and a quarter (23). Two lateral vamps (22) are formed on opposite sides of the sole (21), and the quarter (23) is formed on a back side of the sole (21) and attached to the lateral vamps (22). Before closing the mold assembly (1), a fiber cover may be mounted around the inner mold (12) and a block may be mounted at a predetermined position on the inner mold (12). The fiber cover will combine with molten plastic material injected by the injection molding machine to produce a shoe shell (2) with the fiber cover formed on a surface of the shoe shell (2). The shoe shell (2) may have a mounting space (24) for mounting a protective sponge in the mounting space (24).

The third step is forcing molten plastic material into the mold cavity (13) and forming the one-piece shoe shell (2) having the sole (21), two lateral vamps (22) and the quarter (23) when molten plastic material cures. The molten plastic material may be thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic. The fourth step is opening the mold assembly (1) and ejecting the shoe shell (2) when the molten plastic material has sufficiently cured.

The method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell in accordance with the present invention can produce a one-piece shoe shell (2) that has the sole (21), two lateral vamps (22) and the quarter (23). Because the sole (21), lateral vamps (22) and quarter (23) are integrally formed, a durability of the shoe shell (2) is increased. In addition, sewing or adhering of the sole (21) and lateral vamps (22) is unnecessary during fabrication so an efficiency of fabrication is increased and costs decreased.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell comprising steps of: mounting a mold assembly on an injection molding machine, the mold assembly having a combinative outer mold and an inner mold, the outer mold and the inner mold controllable by the injection molding machine to combine with each other; closing the mold assembly and having a cavity formed in the mold assembly, the cavity providing a space to form a shoe shell having a sole, two lateral vamps and a quarter combined together; forcing molten plastic material into the mold cavity and forming the one-piece shoe shell having the sole, lateral vamps and quarter; and opening the mold assembly and ejecting the shoe shell when the plastic material has cured sufficiently.
 2. The method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a step of mounting a fiber cover around the inner mold before closing the mold assembly to combine the fiber cover with molten plastic material to produce a shoe shell with fiber cover.
 3. The method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a step of mounting a block at a predetermined position on the inner mold before closing the mold assembly to make the shoe shell having a mounting space for mounting a protective sponge in the mounting space.
 4. The method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a step of mounting a block at a predetermined position on the inner mold before closing the mold assembly to make the shoe shell having a mounting space for mounting a protective sponge in the mounting space.
 5. The method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell as claimed in claim 4, wherein molten plastic material is thermoplastic plastic.
 6. The method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell as claimed in claim 4, wherein molten plastic material is thermosetting plastic. 